Pom tiddly om pom, pom pom

Ah, so much has gone unblogged or almost blogged. 

And in case that sounds dramatic, let me assure you, it's not at all. In fact it's been entirely humdrum, everyday unblogged. I have indeed been sewing, but I've shared things for me over at The Drapery blog so don't want to double up. Ah, might throw in a photo or two at the end here.

But down to business - oh and sorry, it's more dog business. Ew, not that kind.

I made a pompom for Skylar today. It was such a success I wanted to share, and it seemed like a quick and likely way to get back into the blogging habit.

Skylar loves fuzzy things, and had taken a particular liking to a woollen pompom that I made with the boys some years ago, that's been hanging about the house ever since. We throw it for her out the back, she races at it, snaps it up, flips it in the air and basically goes crazy for the thing. It's looking the worse for wear.

 

 I do rather like the traditional method of pompom making, with two cardboard rings, poking the wool through and around, through and around. However, it's time-consuming. And I came across an adapted method that doesn't really feel like cheating, but is a whole load quicker. Yep, found it on Pinterest.

 I think it made a very satisfactory pompom! I tied it as tightly as I could, knowing now the kind of treatment it was in for. (Those are shreds of the earlier pompom around on the lawn.)

 I didn't manage to capture Skylar doing her full flip-out, which she generally reserves for 7am or earlier. Later in the day she prefers a quick trot and lie down. It's easy to see why racing never suited her. Most of the races are at night. Silly races.

 Your move, pompom.

Below are the cardboard pieces I used for pompom construction, after removal. I think these may be bigger than the templates provided in the Pinterest link. When I printed out the largest one, it looked pretty small so I made up my own. I may have buggered up the printing, or I may just prefer a giant pompom.

And the pompom pieces are sitting on the laptop on which I type my blog posts - grubby old thing! Complete with 'bread tag elves' courtesy of Jasper.

Now, on with random recent photo grabs!

Here's a t-shirt I made for Clem with some awesome cotton/spandex knit with NINJAS!! from Crafty Mamas. I have come to the conclusion that as the sizes get bigger in this, my favourite Ottobre 'Best t-shirts' pattern, the neck bands get a bit tighter, especially if you use spandex knit, and I've ended up with a bit of scrunching up around the neckline. So I should make them a bit longer in future.

 

 

 I blogged about my Grainline Alder dress at The Drapery, but suffice to say I love, love love it and am wearing it again right now, which is at least the 3rd day in the last week (less than?) since I finished it. Yes, it has been washed :)

Lastly, lest this end up in unfinished-draft-land, here are some photos from a weekend that Andy and I had in Melbourne, without children. Yes. I tagged along on a work thing he was there for. We ate a lot, walked a lot, saw some children's theatre (work) and saw this utterly gorgeous 'Golden Mirror Carousel' at the National Gallery of Victoria. It turns super-slowly and silently and the seats gently sway and the whole thing was quite magical.

So there. That's a bit of stuff from lately! If you have read this far, may your week be filled with golden mirror-ness :)

- Jane x

The big dog photo post, to get it out of my system, before we resume normal programming

Looking back through my photos of the past month or so, one thing dominates. This furry beast who has brought so much joy to our family. 

Well, everyone except for the cat. Elodie is not happy about Skylar. Still not happy. But I think she's just going to have to suck it up.

I made Skylar another coat out of knit fabrics... it turned out a bit big and floppy. It keeps her warm but Andy calls it 'her nightie' and insists it will never leave the house.

 She also likes to 'wear' this crocheted rug and will happily cruise the house in it.

 She helps me with sewing.

 

I fully realise not everyone will be as besotted with our dog as we are. I think my parents find her vaguely annoying. I don't always like other people's dogs. It's okay. But I have to do this doggy bloggy post because Skylar is making me - all of us -  very happy right now.

Andy loves her so much he was inspired to make her a toy: this felt bone (with bonus meaty bits). I did the sewing but he did all the rest. He said 'Now I can throw her a frick'n bone every morning'... so this has henceforth been known as 'the frick'n bone'.

 Skylar likes the frick'n bone.

 

Below is the photo I sent to the Dog and Cat Management Board to go on her official Green Collar card, which shows that she has passed her Green Collar test and is allowed to walk in public without a muzzle on. Hooray! No more face cage or coat with 'L-plates'. Look at those little whiskers! Good lord, I could eat her up.

Such a sweetie.

Clem quote: "I want to marry my dog!"
Charlie quote: "How did I survive for 13 years without a dog?"

Okay, enough now. Time to press 'publish' and go to bed.

- Jane x